The Shadowed Princes by Janrae Frank

Ossian considered his options as he listened to Gavin's report on the interrogation of Sheradyn Kelly and Gillivray Ashby. "Ashby's close to breaking, Ossian. But the old one ... maybe if you'd let me get rougher with him."

"No.” Ossian stared at the reports on his desk without reading them. “He's frail. I don't want to kill him."

"They poisoned the prince, Ossian. It's cut and dried."

"No one knows it better than I.” Ossian closed the folder.

"You could offer Ashby a deal."

"What?” Ossian raised his eyes.

"If he confesses, you could let Kelly go."

Ossian sucked in a deep breath. “No. It would be putting words in his mouth."

"It would work."

"I know. But it would not feel right.” Ossian rose from the desk. “Come on. One more try and then I'll have to think of something else."

Gavin followed Ossian down to the cell. Sheradyn had already had his first session of the day with Gavin. Blood oozed from the fresh tears in his back and some of the old ones that had re-opened.

Sheradyn raised his head when they entered, his face lined by suffering, and his eyes pleading.

“I'm innocent, Ossian. I swear by all that's holy. I'm innocent. I didn't do it."

Ossian winced inwardly from the look in the healer's eyes and steeled himself. He settled into his chair, propped his elbow on the arm and rested his chin upon it. “You were always fond of Merissa. Fond enough to kill her children's rival for the throne?"

"No. I would never do that."

Gavin picked up his whip from the table of implements and moved to stand behind Sheradyn.

Ossian gestured at Gavin. “Three, Gavin."

Gavin uncoiled his whip and laid it on in precise strokes. Sheradyn shrieked.

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